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Drum, Kang Hatgu, 20th century
Wood, monitor skin
84 cm (33 1/16 in.)

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "The motifs on this drum include the yaual (see pl. 296) oval above and below the handle and on a squatting figure with legs and arms at the top. On the right in the photograph is a water insect which is significant for the growing of yams. The lower panel of the drum is decorated with ara chevrons, symbols of the yam caterpillar and the sun and triangles representing female genitalia, kitnaboi (Noel Mc Guingan, personal communication). These drums were used as musical accompaniment to dances held at yam festivals and celebrations of male initiation as well as at openings of spirit houses (Losche, 1982: 48). Sometimes they were also placed at the apex of the spirit house facades. We saw one used in that manner in 1981. Perhaps that drum had been used to celebrate the consecration of the house. For other examples of drums, see Haberland, 1965, figs. 42-43." (Catalog #310, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 133.)

Related Keywords
Hatgu Kang Drum Art Jolika village Kosimbit people Abelam southern Oceania Province Sepik East Guinea New Instrument Musical skin monitor Wood 0308200711540040 A383329 AOA